A curious cutlass

[Ed]

I got this some time ago and recently took a closer look at it.

Looks like it was knocked together out of sheet metal for the guard. The grip is bone, it appears. The sheath is wood covered with leather (now mostly deteriorated). The fittings are unmarked, to my eye.

There is a small mar on the ricosso of the blade, a triangle with a C and I at two of the points.

Interesting thing, no? (I feel like ending with a hearty "arrrrrrr")

[Jim McDougall]

A mighty arrrrr!
Nice Ed!!!
A CUTLASS it is!!!
While the hilt form is reminiscent of the Hounslow's of the 17th century, traditions prevailed. The Hounslow hangers were somewhat prevalent at sea so it is understandable, and this seems a very old hilt, likely refurbished somewhat and possibly at the time this example was assembled, probably late 18th, early 19th.
These triple fullered blades were well known on cutlasses in these times, and according to Gilkerson were made into the 19th c. in Solingen, but the Collins Co. blade makers came into it as well., I wonder if the C with triangle might be an early Collins mark?

This example overall bears striking resemblance to Nuemann (1973, p.186, 374.S) which is an American cutlass 1775-90, and has this type hilt.....the simple strap type pommel attaching seems characteristic of hilts of this period especially American examples.

In this period in the early years of the United States, the maritime industry was beginning to boom, and private enterprises engaging in trade which interacted with trade in the Caribbean with Spain and Great Britain as well as abroad. Naturally with trade activity, there were predatory activities, so captains furnished the crews of their vessels with weapons, cutlasses.

On the American cutlass just noted, the example has a tapering bone grip, which compellingly aligns with this. The blade is of similar shape, 24" but no fullers.

I would suggest this example is a private purchase, possibly American (colonial) and possibly of Revolution period. The only factor taking away from that potential would be the curious triangle C mark, which seems atypical of that period, but more research would tell.

OUTSTANDING example!!!

PS another interesting note, that scabbard throat device is from an Indian tulwar langet........India trade? England? curiouser and curiouser!!!

[Ed]

Better picture of mark

[M ELEY]

Wow! This really is an incredible naval cutlass! Jim has summed it up nicely, but I just had to remark on this incredible sword type! The so-called 'sheet metal' guard did indeed start around the time of the Revolution and continued up into the first quarter of the 19th century, covering the Barbary Wars/Quazi-War/War 1812 and Napoleonic periods. It should be remembered that as the South and Central American countries began to revolt against Spain during this period, there was the largest resurgence of piracy since the Golden Age, so a hearty "Arrrgghh" indeed!

[Ed]

arrrrrrrrr

[Jim McDougall]

I still find fascinating topics here just browsing through search etc. and find so many threads that simply stopped, with zero discussion!

Anything with pirates, cutlasses piques my interest instantly, and this one was worth another soliloquy!

The sheet metal guard is indeed of the style favored on cutlasses in the last quarter 18th c. and resulting in the familiar double disc types British of c.1800.
The bone grip is most interesting and unusual.

One of the most interesting areas of piracy in the latter 17th century was during what became known as the 'golden age of piracy', which seems to have largely ended with the demise of Blackbeard in 1718. However piracy itself in the contexts typically popularized in the lore which grew out of the work of Robert Louis Stevenson and "Treasure Island" was far more expansive and long lived than characterized in this fantastic story.

While most of the popular lore on pirates seems focused on those of the Caribbean and Eastern shores of America, there was a far more dynamic theater of operation in the East in the waters off the Malabar Coast of west India, and to Madagascar.

These regions proved even far more lucrative than the gold and silver laden Spanish galleons, as the treasures of the Mughal Empire and the emperor Aurengzeb were with not only gold and silver in huge quantity, but incredible hoardes of jewels and other valuable commodities.

Beginning largely with Henry Avery in 1690s, and followed by the notorious Captain Kidd of course, those pirates who rounded the Cape to prey on these treasure vessels are often termed 'rounders' in much of the literature.

While this cutlass (notably 'of the type') in use in the late 17th c. and clearly as earlier noted resembling the 'Hounslow' style hilts of earlier in in the century, seems likely later it still seems to be of 18th century (likely latter).

The curious thing is the 'C'mark on the blade, which seems more in line with markings in 19th c. and what appears to be an 'I' ? above it. The blade is notably worn so it is tempting to think it was added later?

One of the most telling things with this cutlass is on the scabbard throat, what appears to be the langet from an Indian tulwar.

I cannot resist thinking this might well be an older cutlass, likely refurbished with the horn grip, and remaining in service probably privately on a vessel frequenting these eastern seas.

One of the more esoteric areas in the study of pirate weapons is the more exotic forms (and their components) which entered the scope of those used in this general area.

An outstanding example of the 'traditionally' regarded cutlass, this one clearly has more stories to tell!

[Bob A]

On the left side of the blade, near the guard, the photo seems to depict a square-ish mark with rounded corners. It seems to be too deliberate to be an artifact.

On the other hand, I may be hallucinating again. Arrrgh! This native brew is potent stuff!

[Jim McDougall]

Bob, Thank You! so much for answering!!!!! means a lot here these days!

I can barely make out the squarish mark you refer to, not sure what it might be. ....but there is something....I needs some grog! arrrrrrr!

While this cutlass may not be an entirely untouched weapon, whatever modifications seem to be done far after this had been in service originally. The type of blade with triple fullers was quite common through the 18th c. it seems.

What interests me is that curious mark of letters around the triangle. I feel pretty certain that is a later British East India marking which was used toward the end of the Company c.1850s. I cannot yet find the reference but it seems so familiar. Later, the letters became EIG (East India Govt) instead of EIC.
Years ago I was informed by David Harding, who was then writing "Small Arms of the East India Co.", that the EIC did not mark sword blades.

The exceptions were of course with bayonets, which were included with firearms, whose locks were indeed marked.

It seems that refurbished weapons of older vintage in many cases had grips replaced with bone, though otherwise remained intact in original configuration.

The notable activity in the Spanish Main, as mentioned by Mark, indeed lasted far through the 19th century which clearly kept the piracy concept going.
As I noted, this weapon distinctly seems to lean toward India, as noted with the tulwar langet.

Its really hard to forensically assess a weapon through photos, but this cutlass really has character! Again, thank you for responding.

All best regards
Jim

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Bob A

On the left side of the blade, near the guard, the photo seems to depict a square-ish mark with rounded corners. It seems to be too deliberate to be an artifact.

On the other hand, I may be hallucinating again. Arrrgh! This native brew is potent stuff!

I noticed that too, Bob.
Maybe a closer look is called for.

[CutlassCollector]

This is a great cutlass and almost exactly what you picture in your head as a classic cutlass!

I agree it feels like early American but that triangle - it must have a missing letter at the empty point and yes, 'E' keeps trying to sit there but really makes no sense.
I can't make any other letter fit either despite long thought.